Question on Like vs As

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Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by voodoo_child » Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:26 am
No replies ? There is a typo.

The question should be - He uses the hammer as a weapon.


I want to understand if we can say "He uses the hammer like a weapon." I am not sure what's the difference. CAn you please help me ?

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by aspirant2011 » Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:54 am
the sentence has the verb as "uses" which means that its a action and in order to compare the actions "as" is used...........

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by Jim@Grockit » Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:28 pm
"As" here is "in the role/place of". "Like" would could here mean that he uses a particular hammer that resembles a weapon (maybe it has skulls carved on it or something); instead we need his use of the hammer to be weapon-y.

The difference is clearer with a different verb. Compare:

He chose the hammer like a weapon (as opposed to some other hammers)
He chose the hammer as a weapon (as opposed to as a tool or a paperweight).

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